Tomlinson Run land eroding in places

Hancock commissioners OK plan to restore sections

November 16, 2012

NEW CUMBERLAND - Portions of Tomlinson Run that are eroding may get a new lease on life now that Hancock County commissioners have approved a contract extension for an improvement project.

Portions of Tomlinson Run that run parallel with state Route 8 are in need of creek bank restoration because of erosion and sediment runoff, Commissioner Jeff Davis said.

Several years ago, the county, in cooperation with the West Virginia Conservation Agency, improved a section of Tomlinson Run just north of Middle Run Road.

"A lot of the erosion problems in that area have ceased," Davis said.

On Thursday, commissioners approved a contract with the West Virginia Conservation Agency that extends to the end of 2017 and allows more erosion control work to be done on Tomlinson Run; this time in the area of Stewart Run Road.

The next part of the Upper Tomlinson Channel Project probably will not start until sometime next summer, Davis said.

The contract calls for channel restoration by sloping the bank and creating a five-foot bench for the "stabilization, restoration and repair" of a designated section of Tomlinson Run.

Total cost of the project is not to exceed $22,000, with county commissioners picking up 32 percent of the cost and the West Virginia State Conservation Committee covering the balance. The committee also will provide technical and administrative oversight.

Also Thursday, commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Mike White to spend $9,803 on equipment for the sheriff's department's Special Reaction Team, which is similar to a SWAT team.

The equipment includes a tactical vest, a tactical helmet, a short-barrel rifle and a holographic sight.